WAUSAU, Wis. (AP) -- The number of people killed in traffic crashes on Wisconsin roads and highways so far this year is down nearly 30 percent from the same time a year ago.

The state Department of Transportation says 137 traffic fatalities have occurred compared with 188 a year ago.

Safety expert Dennis Hughes says the drop is dramatic and attributes it to a long, tough winter and higher gasoline prices.

Both caused drivers to slow down and make fewer trips.

Hughes says there were only 27 fatalities in March, which set a new record for safety.

He says the previous low was 31 killed in 1943, which was during the middle of World War II.

Last year, 743 people were killed in highway crashes in Wisconsin.